Senior physical therapy can be among the most important factors in improving quality of life for almost anyone over the age of 65. It can reduce stress levels, increase energy levels, and treat numerous health conditions, all without additional surgery or medications.
As we grow older, keeping a healthy lifestyle can become more difficult, but it is increasingly essential. Aging can bring unwanted physical changes to balance, strength, walking distance, and pain. Physical therapy for seniors can help mitigate them all.
More than just a recovery tool from injury or illness, physical therapy can be used to counteract the unwanted effects of aging. It can also be used as an excellent prophylactic against injury and help seniors keep or regain independence.
Today, we’ll discuss how physical therapy can be used by Arizona seniors to keep leading vibrant, healthy, independent lives.
What Therapy for Seniors Involves
While there are many types of physical therapy, PT always starts with a personalized care program for each unique individual, or what is sometimes called a “treatment plan.” This plan will be created with the help of a trained and licensed physical therapist to target areas and issues for each individual, whether it be exercises to increase balance and strength or to reduce pain.
These exercises generally include guided movements tailored to older adults. They will often focus on strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Your physical therapist will generally give you exercises to be performed in front of them as well as exercises to do at home.
In most cases, you and your physical therapist will also receive support from licensed care teams. These teams may also include other licensed professionals, including occupational and speech therapists, doctors and nurses, and other caregivers for seniors and those with injuries.
Benefits of Physical Therapy for Seniors
Physical therapy offers a number of benefits for seniors:
Better Mobility and Balance
Perhaps the biggest benefit physical therapy offers when it comes to staying independent and healthy is mobility and balance. Falls are one of the leading causes of hospitalization for seniors in Arizona, and physical therapy can help prevent them. Mobility is also essential to staying healthy and active, and PT is a great tool to encourage confidence in walking and moving.
Pain Relief
Another excellent benefit for seniors is pain relief. Physical therapy can help ease discomfort from arthritis, joint stiffness, or past injuries. It’s a particularly great option because it offers a non-surgical, non-medication alternative to managing pain. In many cases, physical therapy actually feels great, and the natural mood boost exercise brings is good for every one of us.
Independence in Daily Living
Physical therapy further offers independence in daily living. It makes everyday tasks easier and encourages seniors to stay engaged in hobbies and social activities. No one said physical therapy didn’t have to be fun, and excellent physical therapists like those we employ at Haven Health often make it more so.
Overall Wellness
One of the most overlooked benefits of physical therapy is the overall wellness it can bring. PT is most often thought of as a recovery tool from an injury or illness, but it can also be used to enhance both physical comfort and emotional outlook. PT promotes active, engaged lifestyles that are beneficial to all Arizona seniors.
Where Seniors Receive This Type of Care
There are numerous centers where seniors might receive physical therapy.
Rehabilitation Centers
These centers, tailored to provide physical therapy and potentially numerous other therapies to many different kinds of clients, are often ideal for seniors recovering from an injury, after surgery, or after a hospitalization.
Nursing Communities
Nursing communities often provide onsite physical therapy to their residents. This helps support long-term goals for residents such as maintaining mobility.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities also often regularly offer different kinds of physical therapy to their patients, most of whom are recovering from an injury or just leaving the hospital and are trying to build strength and physical confidence before returning home.
Outpatient Clinics
These clinics are often excellent for seniors who would like to receive treatment, whether after an injury or for age-maintenance, and still remain living at home. They generally offer flexible scheduling and can fit into the course of your daily life.
All of these facilities will generally offer programs specifically tailored to seniors, recognizing the unique challenges they face.
What To Expect During a Session
On your first visit to a physical therapist, you should expect an initial consultation and evaluation. The therapist will speak with you about any issues you may be having, have you perform some exercises or tests, and judge your overall mobility and strength.
Based on this evaluation, they will then generate a customized treatment plan to help you become the best version of yourself, maintain independence, and build confidence. They will then help you run through the exercises you will be performing to make sure they are done correctly, and give you “homework” to do on your own at a set schedule.
After your initial session, the therapist will then schedule follow up sessions to check your progress, prescribe new exercises, and help you with any other issues you may have. In some cases, you may visit the therapist weekly or a number of times a week to work on issues or ask questions.
When Seniors Should Consider Therapy
All seniors should consider therapy, but especially when:
- Recovering after surgery
- After experiencing a hospitalization
- Have chronic conditions such as arthritis or osteoporosis
- Have an increased fall risk
- Have reduced strength
Remember, PT can be good for almost all seniors to help maintain their balance, physicality, and independence.
Call Today To Discuss PT at Our Facilities Across Arizona
Guided therapeutic care supports mobility, independence, and wellness for older adults and families should explore safe, supportive options for their loved ones. Call Haven Health today for more information on our physical therapy offerings for seniors.
Sources:
In brief: Physical therapy. (2024).
Murdin, K. (2019). The Role of a Physical Therapist in Healthy Aging.
Physical Therapy (Physiotherapy): What It Is & Benefits. (2025).